Specialized Designs for Women will be the brand of choice for the ValueAct Capital Women’s Professional Cycling Team in 2009. Specialized will be the official bike, helmet, shoe and optics sponsor for the team.

“We are so excited to be partnering with Specialized,” commented team director, Lisa Hunt. “Specialized and the Designs for Women brands are a perfect fit with the programs we’ll be doing to promote women’s cycling.” The team plans on conducting group rides and women’s cycling clinics at Specialized dealers across the country. “There is real momentum in women’s cycling. They love to ride, but there’s an intimidation factor: what gears do I use? How do I change a flat? What kind of bike should I buy?” commented Hunt. “By teaching them some of the basics and the skills, we can help alleviate this issue.”

“We couldn’t be more proud to have ValueAct Captial join the Specialized family. With their amazing team roster and their passion for growing women’s cycling, it was an easy choice for us to make. We look forward to their victories in 2009,” says Tara Moeller, USA Marketing Manager.

The VAC team will be racing on the S-Works Ruby SL, equipped with SRAM Red components; and will also ride the Transition Time Trial bikes. In addition, the team will be wearing the S-Works Helmet, Women’s BG Pro Road Shoes and the Roulette Adaptalite Racing Glasses.

The team will be gathering for its training camp on February 10-18 in Sonoma County, CA, and will be racing at the Women’s Amgen Tour of California in Santa Rosa on February 15th.